Before the various species in Known Space walked upright there were the First Ones. These beings walked in the shadow of the Celestials, crossing the stars in the primordial Universe. Few of these First Ones remain - although there are a few remaining examples of each race, there are only a few examples of First Ones surviving in their original form.
One of the most powerful of these First Ones was the enigmatic group known only as The Shadows. This arachnid-like species evolved on the desolate planet Z'Ha'Dum, becoming a space-faring race long before the Maltusians had emigrated to Oa. In their great biological ships, they reached out into the stars becoming aware of a host of inferior species evolving in Known Space. Believer in a radical form of eugenics, the Shadows sought to forge the Universe into the strongest, most capable iteration.
Every few millennia, the Shadows have emerged from Z'Ha'Dum, spreading across Known Space. Species that are found to be strong are offered alliances and technology; those perceived as weak were culled. They do not stop their crusade until either the Universe has been properly scoured, or until powerful groups, the Vorlons, the Manhunters, or the Green Lantern Corps directly intervene. After being pushed back, they would return to their homeworld to rebuild and hibernate until its next crusade.
Its only rivals were the Vorlons, energy beings that had long cast aside their mortal forms. Believers in protecting the status quo, they nonetheless interfered in the development of many species, hoping to prepare them for the next Shadow Crusade. To hide their true form, which many cultures believed was angelic, they crafted biological encounter suits that were tailored after the biological starships within which they traveled.
The last time the Shadows would launch their crusade, they had unexpected help. Darkseid and the forces of Apokolips had been gathering an Army of Darkness in an attempt to seek out the Anti-Life Equation. Though the Shadows cared nothing for the New God's goals, they saw this as an opportunity to prune Known Space on a level previously unseen.
The Shadow War was a pivotal moment in the Universe's development, but it wasn't the success that the Shadows had hoped. Lost in their own agendas, the individual forces that made up the Army of Darkness began to squabble amongst each other which led to open in-fighting. The Shadows found they were fighting against the Dark Elves, the Engineers, and the Technomages; factions which they had granted the technology which was now turned against them.
Finally, in the Orion System, the last of the Shadow Fleet was destroyed by the Army of Light, ending the Shadow War. What remained of these First Ones set their automated facilities to rebuilding their decimated forces, preparing for the next crusade that would be released upon Known Space. It's been thousands of years since they hibernated and soon the time for their awakening is at hand.
Yet the Shadows remain unaware that bargains with those of the Fourth World are eternal....
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